Jack Wallach smiled at the woman next to him and watched The Fletcher Comet move across the bright blue sky. So many lives had been lost over the last few days, but many had been saved because of the incredible woman he held. They'd made it back to Eagle Mountain and were waiting for the doctor to finish with Elliot's grandfather.

Jack thought about the man he'd been proud to call friend and knew he would miss Adam at his side, but a senseless act had take his partner during the emergency. Jack turned to see a fireman and his family coming toward him and smiled when he recognized the man who'd helped him save Elliot McKee.

"Hi, Jack, Lily, how's Elliot?"

"He's fine, just a few bruises," Lily explained.

"Good, I'd like you all to meet my wife, Karen and my kids Zoe and Paul." The group shook hands and watched the Comet as it continued across the sky.

"Mom, I'm hungry," Elliot said and turned away from the comet.

"Jack, where do we go to eat?"

"Lily, the tents are set up on the west side. Come on," Jack said, clenching his teeth when pain sliced through his side.

"Jack, what's wrong?" Lily asked when Wallach's face blanched.

"Hold on...it'll stop," the blond answered, but continued to hold his arm tight against his side.

"Sure it will," Ben Dodd said and quickly moved to catch the swaying man. "You got knocked around pretty good in that crater...maybe it's time you let someone take a look at you."

"Come on, Jack," Lily ordered and turned to her son. "Elliot, you..."

"I'll watch out for him. We'll stay right here until you come back," Karen promised.

"Thank you...Elliot will you stay with Karen while we get Jack some help?"

"Okay, Mom...is he..."

"I'm fine, Elliot, just some bumps and bruises," Jack tried to assure the boy, but a sudden wave of nausea made him turn away. He felt Lily and Ben supporting him and tried to ignore the mounting pain in his chest.

"We need help here!" Lily said upon entering the tent that was set up as a field hospital.

"What's wrong?" a nurse asked and hurriedly pointed to a cot near the back of the tent.

"Chest hurts," Wallach answered, moaning when they eased him down.

"How long?" the dark haired woman asked.

"Started a few minutes ago," the FEMA agent answered.

"Moira, what have you got?"

"Chest pain, Dr. Brennan," the woman answered.

"You're going to have to move out of the way so I can look at him," the physician ordered and moved to the patient's side while the others moved back. "I'm Dr. Brennan..."

"Jack Wallach...FEMA..."

"I know, but right now I'm more interested in what sort of chest pain...when did it start?"

"A few min...minutes ago," Wallach answered when the nurse began to help him remove his shirt. He heard the physician wince and felt her hands on his right side. He looked down to see a livid bruise covering much of his upper chest.

"How did this happen?"

"Not sure..."

"He went into the crater to get Elliot. I saw him get tossed around in the rubble and that's probably when it happened," Lily answered.

"Thank you," the physician said and looked at the nurse. "Moira, get an IV started and see if the portable X-ray machine is available."

"I don't..."

"Jack, I want you to be still and let us do our job. You've already done yours and now it's time to let the others take care of the clean up."

"I need to make sure everything is d...done."

"Do you trust your people?" Brennan asked

"Yes...but that's..."

"Let me tell you something, Jack, I've been a part of emergency services a long time and I know what's going through your mind. You want to make sure everything is done right so that people get the funds needed to rebuild, but there comes a time when you have to realize you're only human with human qualities. You're not a robot or an android or some superhero...you're a man and right now you need medical attention. I'm pretty certain you've broken several ribs and..."

"Wrap them and let me get back to m...my j...job," Wallach tried, right arm held tight against his body as the nurse prepared to set up and IV.

"Well, I could do that, but if what I suspect has happened then you'll be back here in less than five minutes. If I'm not mistaken there's lung involvement with the rib injuries. I'm afraid moving around right now would only exacerbate the problem."

"Jack, I'll let your people know what's happened," Ben Dodd explained.

"Now that that's taken care of, you might as well relax and let us do our job," Valerie Brennan said and placed her hands on her hips in a no nonsense manner.

"What do you have, Valerie?" Matthew Rogers asked.

"Possible broken ribs with lung involvement. I haven't had a chance to check him over, but Moira is starting an IV and hopefully the portable X-ray machine will be here shortly. I'd really like to get a scan, but for now we need to make sure he stays quiet and doesn't make things worse," Brennan explained.

"That's..."

"Jack Wallach, yes I know, and he's as stubborn as they say," Brennan said and smiled at the reluctant patient.

"Jack, I'd advise you to suck it up and stay put...Valerie has a reputation and believe me you don't want to mess with her," Rogers explained. "Dr. McKee, if you'll excuse us we'll let you know as soon as we're done here."

"Go...be with Elliot...you're father is probably worried about why you hav...haven't re...returned," Wallach told her.

"Let's get him started on oxygen," Brennan explained and motioned for an orderly to bring the equipment she needed.

"I'll be back as soon as I check on Elliot," Lily told him, reluctantly leaving the injured man.

Jack closed his eyes and listened to the physicians talk about him, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult to draw air into his lungs. It felt as if someone had taken a knife and was twisting it between his ribs. He felt an oxygen mask placed over his mouth and nose, but even that was not enough to satisfy his body's need for air.

"God!" Wallach cried out and tried to curl into a ball. He felt something cool swabbed across the area between his ribs and then a sharp pain as something entered his body. Jack opened his eyes and looked at the young woman who had taken charge of his care. He knew she was saying something about the pain and maybe intubating him, but that was the last he heard as darkness crept up and drew him under.

"We need to get him out of here," Brennan said, angry that they didn't have the equipment they needed to treat Wallach's injuries. They'd done everything they could for him, but it wasn't enough. There was no doubt that the lung was punctured and all she'd been able to do was a quick fix until he was transferred to the trauma center in Fort Worth.

"The chopper just landed," Rogers told her. "I'll see if there's room for him on this one."

"Tell them to make room," Brennan told him. She looked down at the pale, unconscious man and wondered how many times he'd been injured since working for FEMA. S

"How's Jack?" Lily McKee asked. She'd checked on Elliot and found him playing with the Dodd children. Karen and Ben assured her that they would watch out for him while she checked on Jack Wallach. Lloyd Morgan had been genuinely concerned for his colleague and had told her everything would be done to ensure Wallach was given top priority.

"He's in rough shape," Brennan answered. "He needs to be airlifted to Fort Worth."

"Is that we're you're sending the patients?"

"The ones who can't wait...yes. We've been sending them to Harris Methodist Trauma Center. They're already maxed out with ambulatory patients and God knows it's going to get worse before it gets better."

"Valerie, they have room for him, but we need to get him ready for immediate transport," Rogers said, moving to secure the equipment keeping Wallach alive.

Lily McKee watched as they readied the stretcher carrying the man who'd saved her son's life and prayed it was not at the cost of his own. She knew by the frantic activity that things were deadly serious and she had to run to keep up with the people rushing the stretcher toward the waiting chopper. Once there several medics worked to secure the newest patient inside to be airlifted to Harris Methodist Trauma Center. She stood watching as the chopper took off and knew she had to be there when he woke up.

"Dr. McKee, we can give you a ride into Fort Worth," Ben Dodd told her. He'd been watching the scene unfold and knew the woman cared what happened to Jack Wallach. The FEMA agent had shown his true grit on several occasions during this crisis, and Dodd's respect was clearly written on his face.

"Thank you, Ben, but my father and Elliot need me," Lily told him.

"I just came from the Red Cross tent and Dr. Napier is being transferred to Harris by ambulance," the fireman explained.

"I should be with him..."

"He'll understand...come on...Elliot is with Karen and the kids. We'll get them and head for Fort Worth," Dodd offered.

"Thank you," Lily said and turned to survey the area. So far the organized chaos continued all around her, but there didn't seem to be as much tension. It seemed with the impact over, people were ready to get on with the clean up and back to their lives, unaware that for some the danger was still present.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Harris Methodist Hospital boasted a level 2 trauma center and they'd been working non stop since the asteroid hit Dallas. The patients lined the hallways, with the worst cases being cared for by doctors and nurses who'd come in as soon as they'd heard about the influx of patients. The less serious cases were sent to other hospitals, while trauma victims were sent to them.

Dr. Janet Radcliff watched as the chopper touched down. She had reports on each of the four victims and knew the director of FEMA had precedence. Not because of his office, but because he'd suffered a punctured lung and needed immediate surgery to repair any internal damage and put a chest tube in. As soon as the chopper landed her team moved in and she listened to the medic give a report on his vitals and any treatment he'd received during the flight.

Radcliff helped get the patient onto a gurney and then rushed him toward the ER doors. The other teams would take care of the less serious patients, right now Jack Wallach was her main concern. A nurse at the main desk stood and pointed to the room that had just been cleaned and readied for the newest casualty.

"Trauma one is set for you, Dr. Radcliff."

Radcliff didn't take the time to acknowledge the nurse, but she would make a point to let the whole staff now they'd done a damn good job since this emergency began. She helped transfer the patient from the gurney onto the ER bed and quickly hooked Wallach up to the hospital monitors and the mobile equipment was removed.

"We need to get a chest tube in," Radcliff said and checked the bruised area. She listened to his chest and knew the diminished breath sounds were a sure sign of damage.

Jack woke feeling disoriented and in pain. Years of working in emergency conditions had his instincts kicking in and he tried to fight the people caring for him.

"Mr. Wallach, I'm Dr. Radcliff and you're in the hospital. I know you find it hard to breathe right now and that's because one of your ribs has punctured your right lung. I'm going to insert a chest tube and that should help. I'm going to give you something to help with the pain and hopefully make you more comfortable."

"Lily...okay..."

"I don't know who Lily is, but I'll see what I can find out for you once I'm through. Now I want you to be still and let us do our jobs, because I've heard you've done yours very well," Radcliff told him.

"Har...hard to bre...breathe..."

"I know, but we're just about set here," Radcliff said and froze the area.

Jack closed his eyes and was soon drifting toward sleep as the medications took control. He could hear the medical personnel talking about the treatments they would be implementing, but concentrated on breathing through the fiery agony in his chest.

"We're nearly done, Mr. Wallach," the physician told him, and realized he was no longer conscious. She finished inserting the chest tube and checked the readouts, pleased to see the numbers had improved somewhat. "All right, People, let's get him fixed up while he's down for the count."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lily McKee paced the floor of the surgical waiting room and wished someone would tell her how Jack Wallach was doing. She'd checked on her father who had been admitted to the hospital. Elliot was with Ben Dodd and his family and she was grateful for their help. It had been hours since she'd arrived at the hospital, and still all she knew was Wallach was in surgery to repair some internal damage cause during the fall.

Lily looked around the crowded room and realized she wasn't the only one who had lost friends and family in the impact. There were people of all ages scattered haphazardly around the room, some were quiet, and some talked softly, while others cried on a loved one's shoulder. She felt sorry for them, and again felt guilty about not being able to do more. Jack had told her she'd done more than anyone else and that because of her warning so many lives had been saved, but what about the ones who'd died? What about the sorrow and pain they suffered through. She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, disappointed that it wasn't Wallach's surgeon, but relieved to see a familiar face.

"Dr. McKee, has there been any word on Jack?"

"Nothing so far, Lloyd," Lily answered and hugged the man before leading him to a couple of empty chairs near the window.

"Did they give you any idea what was wrong?" Morgan asked.

"Just that there are internal injuries along with the punctured lung. It must have happened when he went into the crater to get Elliot. He was thrown around a lot," McKee answered.

"Jack thinks a lot of you and Elliot," Morgan told her.

"I think a lot of him...I'm sorry to hear about Adam," McKee said.

"Jack took it hard. He and Adam were close...it could easily have been any one of us and I'm not even blaming the man who shot him. He was acting on his emotions, and God help me I might have done the same thing."

"Somehow I doubt that...you're stronger than that," Lily said, looking toward the door when footsteps sounded again.

"Is there anyone here for Jack Wallach?" Janet Radcliff called and quickly spotted the two people near the window. "Dr. McKee?"

"Yes...this is Lloyd Morgan...he's a friend and associate of Jack's...how is he?"

"Well, he's a fighter. I thought we were going to lose him a couple of times, but we were able to get him back. He's being settled in SICU right now and will probably spend the next 24 hours there," Radcliff explained.

"But he's going to be okay?" Morgan asked.

"Barring any unforeseen complications he should be fine, but it will be some time before he's back on his feet and chasing down emergencies."

"Can I see him?" McKee asked.

"Yes, but there's not much point in staying because he's been sedated. The nurses will let you know when you can go in, but don't stay long," Radcliff ordered.

"Thank you, Dr. Radcliff," Morgan said.

"Just doing my job," Radcliff told him, but the truth was every time she saved a life her job no longer seemed like a job and each patient was an individual instead of a number. She prided herself on her ability to control her emotions, but every night, when her shift ended, she could be found giving thanks in the small chapel on the first floor.

"Somehow I doubt that," McKee told her and saw the slight smile for on her face. She watched the other woman leave and settled down to wait for the nursing staff to come for her. "How long have you known Jack?"

"Sometimes it feels as if I've known him all my life, but it's only been about eight or nine years. Jack took over for a good man and at the time I resented his promotion and felt he was too young for the post. He's proved me wrong so many times I've lost track. He's a good man and an even better friend," Morgan answered.

"He seems passionate about his job," McKee observed.

"You don't know the half of it. I've seen Jack do things that endangered his life, but he's always said that if it saves a single life then it was well worth the chances he took. He's been chewed out by more than one official, but it goes in one ear and out the other. Jack simply tells them to leave him alone and let him do his job."

"Sounds like..."

"Dr. McKee?"

"Yes," Lily said and stood up to meet the nurse.

"Dr. Radcliff said you could visit with Mr. Wallach," the nurse told her.

"Lloyd..."

"It's okay, Dr. McKee, you go see him," Morgan told her.

"He can have two visitors for a few minutes," the nurse explained and led the two people toward the SICU. "I just want to warn you that he is hooked up to a lot of equipment, but right now it's precautionary. Dr. Radcliff has him sedated, but we will be easing back on the heavy medications this afternoon and hopefully he'll be awake this evening."

Lily McKee listened to the woman's words, but could not say anything as she entered the small cubicle where Jack Wallach lay amidst a jumble of meads, IV tubing and other medical paraphernalia. She knew these injuries were a result of his climbing into the crater to save Elliot and she would never forget the selfless act. She reached out and gently took his left hand in her own and lifted it to her lips. "Thank you...for saving my son, Jack."

Lloyd Morgan watched the woman as tears formed in her eyes. Lily McKee was a special woman and she didn't seem to realize what she'd done for the people around her. Because of her quick thinking and warnings they'd been able to save lives today and that was something they could all be thankful for. He stepped forward and felt a heaviness in his chest at how quiet and unmoving Wallach was. The man oozed action and to see him lying on the bed surrounded by so much medical equipment made him think of Adam. They'd already lost one good man; there was no way they would lose another. "You just hold on, Jack, because there's no way I'm saying goodbye to someone else I care about. Dr. McKee is here and Elliot's fine, but that boy will feel guilty if something happens to you, Jack, so don't go quitting now, okay?"

"I'm afraid you'll both have to leave now, but if you check back later this evening he should be waking up, but not for long periods of time because he's going to need to rest."

"Thank you," Lloyd said and walked out, waiting at the door for the woman who seemed to have deep feelings for Jack. He heard her tell him she would be back and then she hurried toward him and he reached out to pull her close as her body shook with fatigue and worry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Charles Napier had never been on the opposing side when it came to hospitals. He'd never been a patient, and right now he wasn't being a very good one. He grumbled at the nurses who came in to check his vital signs and hardly touched the food they brought him for lunch. His head pounded and is leg throbbed in tempo with each beat of his heart. They'd elevated it and given him something to ease the pain, but he hated the feeling that came with heavy drugs. A sound at the door startled him, but he didn't bother turning to see who had entered his room until a familiar voice called to him.

"Dad..."

"Lily, thank God, how are you? Where's Elliot?"

"Elliot is in the lounge with Karen Dodd and her family. I wanted to check on you before I brought him up...are you sure you're up to some company?"

"I'm fine, Lily, or I will be if you would smuggle me in something edible," Napier told his daughter and frowned when all is comment got was a slight smile. "What's wrong?"

"It's Jack," Lily said and dropped heavily onto the edge of his bed when he reached for her hand.

"Jack? The FEMA guy?"

"Yes..."

"What happened? He seemed fine when you guys got back," Napier observed.

"I know, but he wasn't. He went into that crater after Elliot and he was tossed around down there. He broke a couple of ribs..."

"Ouch, that will make it uncomfortable for him to move around, Lily, but he should be okay as long as he takes it easy."

"There's more, Dad, his right lung was punctured and he had internal injuries. He's in the SICU right now, but Dr. Radcliff said he should make a complete recovery," McKee explained.

"I only just met Jack, but he seems like a good man, Lily..."

"He is...not many men would do what he did out there, but he went into that crater without a thought about his own welfare. Elliot's here because Jack did what he did."

"Lily, Jack did what he did because he cares..."

"I know, and maybe that's part of the problem, Dad. I care about him, but I swore after...after Elliot's father..."

"Jack is a man, Lily, and doesn't deserve to be compared to another man. If you have feelings for him, then don't push him away," Napier told her.

"Can we come in?"

Lily swiped at her eyes and turned to see her son and Ben Dodd enter the room. "Ben, thank you for watching Elliot."

"It was no trouble, Dr. McKee, but he was anxious to see his granddad and I figured it was best to bring him before he took off on his own," the fireman explained.

"Thank you," Lily said.

"Grandpa!" Elliot called and hurried to his grandfather's side, frowning when he saw the look on the man's face. "Are you okay?"

"No...not yet, but I will be as long as I do what they tell me. Now what about you? I hear you had quite an adventure after we were separated."

"I got stuck down the crater and Jack saved me, but he got hurt and it's my fault and I..."

"No, it's not, Elliot," Napier said and ruffled the boy's hair.

"But..."

"Did you get stuck in that crater on purpose?"

"No...I was trying to find help and I slipped and I..."

"Then it isn't your fault that Jack got hurt. Now, tell me about what happened after you left me to get help? What did you do? How did you end up so far from where I fell?"

Lily watched her father, amazed at how easy he could make Elliot forget the guilt he'd been harboring and talk about his experiences. She smiled at the older man and moved to sit on the chair by the window while Elliot sat on the edge of the bed. She glanced at the clock over the door and knew it would be several hours before Jack Wallach regained consciousness. Lily nodded to Ben Dodd when the fireman told them he had to leave, and asked her to let him know when there was any news on Wallach.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Someone was calling to him, but for Jack Wallach the world around him had disappeared in a haze of pain. He wasn't sure if waking right now was something he wanted to do, but the incessant voice was not going to let up. His eyes opened, closing again as the bright overhead lights stabbed at his skull and sent nausea churning in his gut.

"Mr. Wallach, you're okay. You're in the hospital in Fort Worth, but you are going to be fine. My name is Dr. Radcliff and I want you to know we're going to do everything we can to keep you comfortable, but first I need to want to make sure you understand what's happened," Radcliff explained.

"Hospital? Chest...hurts," Wallach told her.

"I'm sure it does, and the nurse is going to give you something to help ease the pain. You also had some internal injuries, but we'll go over that when you're feeling better. Okay?"

"Okay...Elliot okay?"

"Elliot? Oh the boy you saved? Yes he's fine and as a matter of fact he and his mother are outside waiting to see if you're up to visitors..."

"I'd l...like to see them," Wallach told her.

"Okay, let me check the incision and then I'll let them come in, but not for long, Mr..."

"Jack...call me Jack..."

"All right, Jack, but I don't want them staying long because I want you resting today and maybe tomorrow we can move you out of SICU," Radcliff told him.

"Sounds good," Wallach agreed and let his eyes close, opening them again when he heard soft footsteps and whispered voices. He smiled at the newcomers and tried to hide how much pain he was in as the nurse injected medication into his IV. "Hi..."

"Hi, Jack, mom says we can't stay long...I...I was worried about you," Elliot told him, his voice edged with fear as he looked at the man who'd saved his life.

"I'm okay, Elliot...it wasn't your fault," Wallach said.

"You wouldn't have gotten hurt if you didn't have to come get me."

"Elliot, you didn't go down in the crater on purpose...accidents happen and the main thing is we both got o...out of there."

"But you were hurt."

"Yes, I did, but y...you know w...what?"

"What?"

"I'm going to be o...okay."

"Jack, dad asked the staff if you could be moved in with him when they move you out of here," Lily explained.

"S...sounds g...good...tired," Wallach muttered and tried to stay awake.

"Rest, Jack, we'll come back later," Lily assured him, somewhat relieved now that the FEMA agent had been awake and lucid.

"Elliot?" Wallach waited until the boy looked at him and smiled. "Thank you for trusting me to get you out of there. Most kids would be scared..."

"I was scared."

"I know...so was I, but you were brave enough to trust me and t...that's what c...counts," Wallach told him and saw the slight smile on the child's face before he looked up at Lily McKee and saw her mouth a simple thank you before he closed his eyes and sleep won out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was lunchtime, but Charles Napier was not interested in the food they'd brought him. He'd sent Lily and Elliot out to get something to eat and soon after they left he'd been informed that Jack Wallach was being brought down from SICU. The staff had moved his bed as far back as they could in order to make room for the new bed. Napier had told them to put Wallach beside the window and that had meant a lot of maneuvering, but at least everything was set up. He raised the head of the bed as the door opened and the nurse, doctor, and orderly pushed the new bed into the room.

Napier watched as they moved the bed past his and behind the closed curtain. He caught sight of a very pale Jack Wallach and used his own medical knowledge to triage the injuries. He listened to the doctor telling the nurses exactly what she wanted done and realized the woman was as tedious as he was when it came to a patient's welfare. Normally he didn't listen in on what should have been doctor and patient confidentiality, but he had an interest in this particular case.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jack, you have a PCA pump and it's controlled by the small box beside your hand. It's regulated to deliver the medication you need when you press the button, but don't worry about overdosing, because it's programmed so that it's impossible to do that," Radcliff explained.

"Thanks, Doc," Wallach said. The move from the SICU left him exhausted in spite of the fact that he hadn't done anything except lie in the bed. The physician had come in to tell him she was pleased with his test results and that they'd be moving him down to a semi private room. He'd been pleased to hear Charles Napier would be his room mate and that meant he'd be seeing more of Lily and Elliot McKee.

"Would you like the curtains opened?" the nurse asked.

"Yes, please," Wallach answered and watched as the woman pulled back the curtains. He waited for the doctor and nurse to leave and finally raised the head of his bed a little further so that he could see his roommate.

"You look like you've been put through the proverbial ringer," Napier observed.

"It's not so bad," the FEMA agent told him.

"Son, there's no point in lying to a doctor because we can see right through the 'I'm fine' routine. Lily told me what happened and I want you to know how grateful I am for what you did for my grandson," Napier told him.

"I'm just glad he's okay," Wallach said, yawning tiredly. "Sorry, been doing that a lot lately."

"That's partly because you need it and partly because of the residual affects of the anesthetic and pain medication they have you on," Napier explained.

"Probably...what's for lunch?"

"So what's for lunch?"

"Some kind of brown mush crap that looks like pudding and tastes like..."

"Are you complaining about the food again, Dad?"

"This shouldn't be called food...more like human waste." Napier said when his daughter entered and hugged him before moving to the second bed.

"Don't mind dad, Jack, he usually tells his patients to eat the food because it's good for them and will help them heal," Lily said.

"Yes, well, my lecture will change now that I've seen things from the other side of the coin," Napier told her and heard a soft chuckled from Wallach.

"How are you feeling, Jack?" McKee asked.

"Sore, tired, but the pain's not so bad..."

"That's because they are giving you the good stuff...me it's like here's a Tylenol," Napier complained.

"Dad, you broke your leg...it should be easier for you now that the bones have been set," Lily said.

"It is, but it would be nice to have a little sympathy for your old man."

"Actually I feel sorry for the staff," McKee told him as Lloyd Morgan and her son entered the room.

"Jack!" Elliot called and hurried to the second bed.

"Even my grandson is deserting me," Napier complained.

"No, I'm not, Grandpa, but I already saw you this morning," the boy said simply. "When are you getting out of here, Jack? Does that hurt?"

"Not right now, Elliot, because the doctors gave me something to help with the pain, but it also makes me sleepy," Wallach explained. "I don't know when they'll be letting me out."

"From the looks of things I'd say at least a week..."

"Dad, why don't you and Jack come stay with me and Elliot when you're released..."

"Lily, you don't have to," Wallach tried.

"I know I don't have to, but it seems like the least I can do after everything you've done for us. I have a big house and it's near the ocean...Dad loves to fish and I believe it would be a great place for both of you to recuperate."

"There's no point in arguing with her, Jack, she'll just ignore you and make the arrangements anyway," Napier warned. "Now, Lily, why don't you and Elliot come tell me about your lunch?"

Jack knew he was giving him a chance to speak with Morgan and waited for the other man to draw the curtains across. "Lloyd, how are things at the site?"

"Better than you would have expected, Jack, it seems we're getting help form sources we didn't expect and the clean up is under way. Most of the injured have been transported to hospitals and shelters have been set up throughout the area. The Red Cross is coordinating with other organizations like the Salvation Army...it's amazing how many people have stepped up to the plate, Jack, and it's because of you. They know you and they trust you and people are joining together to make sure every one has what they need. The National Guard is keeping the looters out of ground zero and anyone caught trying to pilfer from the area is being arrested and charged," Morgan explained.

"That's good news...do we have any idea how many casual...casualties there were?"

"No, and we won't until there's a thorough search of the area...even then it won't be accurate because we have no way of predicting visitors and homeless. This is one of the worst disasters to ever hit our country and it's on a scale of astronomical proportions."

"What about the man who shot Adam?"

"He's been arrested and charged, but what's scary is that I feel sorry for the guy, Jack. He had to stand by and watch someone he loved die."

"I know, Lloyd, but there were other ways...did anyone even know about his family?"

"No...there were so many people coming and going and the triage staff was overworked and volunteers were doing what they could to get help to those who most needed it."

"A lot of people did get the help they needed...and your people have nothing to feel sorry for," McKee piped in. "Don't ever underestimate the job you do, because there are those of us who appreciate the fact that you are there to help."

"Thanks, Lily," Wallach said, sighing tiredly as he pressed the button under his hand. He knew it wouldn't be long before sleep claimed him and he closed his eyes, listening to the others talking softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charles Napier leaned heavily on his crutches and watched as Lily pulled her car to a stop close to the front door of her home. Two weeks had passed since the comet had passed them by and a lot of people died in the initial impact and the aftermath, but his family was intact. He watched as Lily exited the car on the driver's side and waved to him before going to the back and opening the trunk. The passenger door opened and Jack Wallach stepped out, leaning heavily against the car door before he realized he was being watched.

"Dad, where's Elliot?"

"Ben and Karen came by and asked if they could take him to the amusement park. I figured it'd be good for him. They said they'd be back by dinner. I figured it'd be okay," Napier answered.

"That's fine, Dad...you haven't been overdoing things have you?"

"No...as a matter of fact I've been sitting on the dock all afternoon. How are you doing, Jack?"

"Much better now that they finally cut me loose," Wallach told him.

"Jack, why don't you go with dad and I'll mix up some lemonade and be right down?"

"Sounds good," Wallach said and walked slowly toward the dock. His body was still healing, but he could get around a lot easier as long as he didn't rush things. Radcliff had warned him that he needed to take it easy and so far that's exactly what he'd been doing, although he did have some paperwork he could fill out later.

"How are you doing, Jack?" Napier asked once the reach the dock and sat on the chairs placed there earlier in the day.

"Better, Charles...how's the leg?"

"Heavy...damn cast must weight fifty pounds," the older man scowled and tapped at his leg with a crutch. "You'd think after all these years they'd have found a better way to immobilize a broken bone."

"I think everyone who's ever had a cast agrees with you," Wallach said, wincing as he shifted his body and it tugged at the healing wounds.

"Oh, and I'm betting you were cursing a blue streak when they removed the tube from your chest," Napier observed.

"Let's just say I'm glad Elliot wasn't around to hear me," the FEMA agent replied, smiling when he spotted Lily McKee walking toward them.

"I hope your intentions are honorable where my daughter is concerned," Napier teased. He'd gotten to know Jack Wallach quite well when they'd shared the room in the hospital and he had a feeling that his daughter could do a hell of a lot worse than this man. He knew Lily had feelings for him and hoped she was smart enough to act on them if Wallach wasn't.

"I won't hurt her," Wallach vowed, and grew silent until she reached them.

"I invited the Dodd's to join us for dinner," Lily told them. They should be home in an hour," McKee explained. "I figured we could have a BBQ and salads."

"Sounds good, but why don't we make it burgers and hotdogs and do them on the pit down here by the beach?"

"That's a great idea, Dad...you do like burgers and dogs don't you, Jack?"

"Who doesn't?" Wallach asked with a smile. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Not a thing. I made potato salad and tossed green salad. Maybe later you could slice tomatoes and wash the lettuce for he burgers," Lily told him.

"Well, I guess I'd better get up to the house and make my special burgers. Do you like spicy food, Jack?"

"I do..."

"Dad, go easy on him...he's only just got out of the hospital and God knows you four alarm burgers just might put him back in," McKee said.

"I'll go easy on him until his stomach's up to par...then all bets are off," Napier said and used his crutches to go up to the house.

"Dad can get a little over the top with his spices...if it's too much the hot dogs are a safer bet," Lily warned.

"I don't mind spicy foods," Wallach told her. "This place is beautiful."

"I know...I love the beach and the smell of the ocean."

"I just wish people would realize what we're doing to our oceans and forests."

"There are environmentalists trying to make people aware of the dangers...although some of them go too far in what they do," McKee told him.

"That's the way it is with everything," Wallach agreed. "It seems you either go from one extreme to the other, but someday we'll find that happy medium and we'll be able to fix the things we've broken."

"I hope it happens in our life time," McKee said and the duo grew quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable as Lily moved closer to the FEMA agent and rested her head on his shoulder. They remained that way for a long time before heading up to the house to help prepare dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I must say you look a lot better than you did the last time I saw you," Ben Dodd said.

"I feel a lot better, Ben, how are the kids holding up?" Wallach asked.

"Much better now that the comet has past, and their dad is home on a regular basis. Karen saw the footage from the fire and for a while she thought she'd never see me again. It was damn close, Jack, and sometimes I wonder if it's worth the risk," Dodd told him, watching as the three children chased each other around in the sand. The smell of the open fire and the burgers and hot dogs was making him hungry, but he needed to talk with Jack Wallach.

Jack knew there had to be a reason Ben had sought him out and he had a feeling he knew what was bothering the fireman. They'd both lost a close friend in the disaster, and sometimes it helped to talk things through with someone who knew how you felt. "AJ was a good man..."

"Yeah he was...and he died doing what he loved...saving people's lives. It's just hard to go to the station and know he's not going to be there," Dodd told him.

"I know and believe me it doesn't get any easier, but we always find a way to get past the pain and keep on living," Wallach explained. "AJ died doing what he loved, but Adam...Adam died because there wasn't enough help and that's just not going to happen anymore. I plan on going to every state and talking to anyone who'll listen...and those who won't...and I'm going to make them see what's right before their eyes. Too many people died because there wasn't enough money or programs to make sure they got the help they needed. I don't like statistics and I don't plan on letting this disaster become one. We need to make sure this doesn't happen again."

"If you need help I'll gladly go along with you, Jack," Dodd assured him.

"I might just take you up on that," Wallach said with a grin.

"Hey, you two, burgers are ready and they taste better hot!" Lily called.

"Well, we can't let that happen or Dr. Napier will hit us with his crutches," Dodd observed and moved to accept the plate his wife prepared for him.

"What would you like on your burger, Jack?" Lily asked.

"Mayo and ketchup," Wallach answered.

"Tomato and lettuce?"

"Yes, please," the FEMA agent answered.

"Hey, Jack, we're going to play a game of beach volleyball after...do you want to play?"

"I wish I could, Elliot, but right now about all I could do is take score...give me a couple of weeks and I'll take you up on the offer," Wallach said, smiling when the boy ran off with the Dodd children. It was amazing how easy children forgot about disasters, and he wished adults had that same ability, but it seemed with age people tended to remember more and sometimes dwelt on it.

"Want to take a walk, Jack?" Lily asked once the meal was finished and the dishes cleared away. The sun had gone down, leaving a glorious sunset in its wake. Adults and kids alike were playing volleyball while her father played referee and kept track of the score.

"Sounds good," Jack said and took her hand in his own. They walked along the water's edge, feeling it touch their bare feet each time a new wave washed away the sand, leaving a new design in its wake. He sighed contentedly as he looked toward the sky and felt the woman beside him watching him closely.

"I heard what you said to Ben about getting more help when disasters like this one occur. I'd like to offer my help as well," McKee offered.

"I just might take you up on that...the more people we get involved the better our chances are of getting the help we need to implement faster actions," Wallach told her.

"Natural and man made disasters," Lily told him.

"Anytime lives are at stake we should be pushing for aide, but often people become complacent and as long as it doesn't involve them they turn the other way," Wallach said.

"Then we need to change how they see things, and make them aware of the dangers that we face every day. Who knows when the next 'bullet burn' could happen and the next time it could be far worse than this one," McKee said.

"That's my point exactly, Lily, we need to have programs in place for events like this one because I know damn well there are more comets out there and the dangers they bring with them could be catastrophic," Wallach said and looked up at the sky. The first few stars were beginning to show up and he wrapped his arms around the beautiful woman beside him. "Lily, thank you for everything."

"I didn't do anything..."

"You invited me into your home and allowed me to get to know your son and yourself...I'd like to continue seeing you after they send me back to work."

"I'd like that too, Jack," McKee said and felt his strong arms draw her close. She kissed him, letting the sound of the water ease the tension from their bodies and knew this was only the beginning for both of them.

The End.